Indonesia’s Peat

In Indonesia, accumulation of peat materials was occurred in swamp ecosystem, the formation process was taken place in concave area under influence of waterlogged. The coastal plain in Jambi is the example model in the east coast of Sumatera that is very closely related with Sunda Shelf. In this coastal area, there are three type of peat sediment.

Firstly, the peat that was deposited in concave area above old soil formation (pleitocene terrace), and developed under the influence of rain and/or fresh water from river (fresh water ecosystem). Peat that developed under this condition is commonly having a thickness more than 3.0 m. Related to agricultural usage, this peat is categorized as ombrogenouspeat with the characteristics of very acidic, poor of nutrient, very low support, and easily destroyed properties.

Secondly, the peat that was deposited on depression area (on alluvial soil); this kind of peat was developed under the influence of marine (marine ecosystem).

Thirdly, the pet that has been covered the area under the influence of fresh water and marine environment (brackish ecosystem).

Peat that developed under this condition (marine ecosystem or brackish ecosystem) can be classified into topogen peat with the thickness of peat less than 3.0 m (mostly 2.0 m), relatively rich of nutrient, moderately acidic to acidic, and have a better support compared to that of ombrogenous peat.

Peat ecosystem is very unique and multifunction. Because of its unique properties, peat is exclusive habitat for the living of various flora and fauna and only specific plants and animals that is able to live well in this habitat. Another property shown by peat is the high porosity, so peat sediment will have very large ability to retain water. Hence, since peat also has irreversible drying property and low vertical conductivity, so when peat is over dried its function as hydrologic controller will be disturbed. On irreversible drying condition, peat will not be able reabsorb water.

Peat also shown high potential to stock Carbon (C ). This can be used in trade carbon that really booming for this time. However, to account how much carbon in the atmosphere that can be bind in form of biomass need particular and advance research. Basically, carbon binding process into peat sediment can be become opportunity in carbon trade.